Film Music Reporter

Composer Cho Young-wuk is reuniting with director Park Chan-wook  on the new HBO limited series The Sympathizer. The show is based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same title and stars Hoa Xuande, Robert Downey Jr., Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Vy Le, Phanxine, Ky Duyen, Kieu Chinh, Alan Trong, Duy Nguyen and Sandra Oh. The 7-parter centers on the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and his new life as a refugee in Los Angeles, where he learns that his spying days aren’t over. Park Chan-wook (Stoker) has directed the first three episodes and is the project’s co-showrunner, alongside Don McKellar (The Grand Seduction, Lasy Night). They are both also executive producing the HBO, A24 & Rhombus Media production with Downey Jr., Nguyen, Susan Downey (Gothika, The Brave One), Amanda Burrell (Perry Mason, Sweet Tooth), Niv Fichman (The Red Violin, Possessor), Kim Ly, Ron Schmidt (House of the Dragon) and Jisun Back. Cho Young-wuk has previously collaborated with the director on the features Oldboy, Lady Vengeance, Thirst, The Handmaiden & Decision to Leave and the TV show The Little Drummer Girl. The Sympathizer will premiere this Sunday, April 14 on HBO and will also be available to stream on Max.